Ubiquitous connectivity and control system for remote locations

ABSTRACT

A thermostat control system for monitoring and controlling environmental characteristics of a building includes a base station unit and a remote access unit continuously interfacing through instant wireless private direct connectivity. The system also includes a plurality of sensors that measure the environmental characteristics and provide the thermostat unit with the measurements.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.60/522,887, filed Nov. 18, 2004, in the name of Charles Shamoon andentitled “Ubiquitous Connectivity and Control System for RemoteLocations”.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a remote monitoring and control systemfor an environment. More specifically, the system relates to on demandbidirectional communication between a remote access unit and amultifunctional base control unit in a geographically remote location.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In addition to a main residence, modern times provide people andfamilies with vacation homes that are geographically remote from theregular places of residence. Also, owners of businesses generally havetheir place of business remote from their residence. These structurestend to be affected by changes in environmental characteristics, eithernatural (i.e., weather conditions), or non-natural (i.e., vandalism,break-ins, etc.). Generally, a thermostat monitors the ambienttemperature and regulates a heating/cooling appliance to keep thebuilding within the predefined temperature range thereby accomplishingthe typical environmental control. The typical thermostat only monitorsthe ambient temperatures. Where the building is in a volatile climaticregion, it is not always feasible to maintain the full functions of theappliances year round. For example, a building located in a region knownfor very warm temperatures, if the owner resides several hundred milesaway, there would be no need to activate a cooling system on anabnormally warm day during a virtually cool season. There is no systemfound that monitors the ambient environmental factors within apredefined range of values, upon an exception to the predefined values,alerts the remotely located owner, and allows the owner to remotelyredefine the acceptable environmental parameters. Thus a remote controlsystem solving the aforementioned problem, as well as several others, isdesired.

The home control industry is a rapidly growing, multi-billion dollarindustry. This growth has been accompanied by the recent development ofsmart appliances and efforts to development a universal protocol forhome control by major companies. The present invention provides the nextmajor development in today's home control industry, ubiquitousconnectivity and control of structure environment.

The home control industry has taken steps toward ubiquitous connectivityand control over the years, but these steps have fallen short until now.The home control industry has moved from ultrasonic remote control toinfrared remote control to local RF remote control and on to land-linephone home-away-from-home remote control. The advent of improved cellphone technology provided more mobility and convenience tohome-away-from-home control. High-speed and wireless Internet access hasallowed connectivity to the home through home-based and wireless laptopcomputers. While an advance in connectivity, mobile Internetconnectivity, like its predecessors, is not without significantchallenges, especially with mobility and convenience.

The invention of the microcontroller and microcomputer has spawned arobust industry in home automation. An endless number of systems hasbeen created by hobbyist, commercial, and industrial developers.Processes and devices for which automation has been pioneered includeaudio systems, video systems, security and surveillance systems,lighting systems, watering and irrigation systems, systems formeasurement of vital statistics for medical patients, and garage dooropeners, to name a few. The typical control architecture includes atransmitter and a receiver in which a command is issued by thetransmitter and is executed in response by the receiver. Communicationslinks have used radio frequency, infrared, and ultrasonic technologies.

Other technologies used for home automation include power line carrierand telephone line. Power line carrier and telephone line systems bothhave the benefit of being able to use existing facility wiring forcommunications. Each has its own benefits and detriments. Power linesystems operate on existing building electrical wiring while telephoneline systems use existing telephone wiring. Electrical wiring is usuallyavailable in more locations within a building than is telephone wiring.Telephone line systems are generally more secure.

By far the most popular and ubiquitous power line carrier system is theX10. This system use transmitter, receiver, and controller modulesconnected to the building wiring, usually by plugging directly into anelectrical outlet. Each module is individually addressed by a companionmodule, which is responsive to commands issued or received that areencoded with a preset digital address. The X10 system, like most powerline carrier technologies, is characteristically confined to operationwithin a very limited area, such as within a single building. Newerinterfaces have been developed to allow control of a broad range ofexternal communications systems with X10 systems.

The need to expand the geographic range of control for a limited system,such as power line carrier, radio frequency, or infrared, led to thedevelopment of telephone interfaces, including voice, DTMF, and CallerID. While such systems allow users to exercise control of theirfacilities remotely, they are not as user friendly and often use tonesor cryptic, hard-to-understand, digitized voice prompts. Often a longdistance call from a pay telephone was required to access thecontroller, which had to be interfaced with the facility telephonenetwork.

The availability of personal computers, the Internet, and broadbandnetworks has fueled the explosion in the number of home automationmethods and devices. Controlling software is available for Windows,Macintosh, Linux, and DOS based computers. Every imaginable type ofinput-output port has been used to communicate data into and out of acomputer. Examples of available interfaces usable for home automationand control purposes include USB, parallel port, joystick, serial(RS-232, RS-422, RS-485 and the like), audio, ActiveX, and TCP/IP.Bidirectional communications have become more prevalent, allowing aremote operator to not only control but also to observe and monitor thetasks performed by the automation system. Internet-based utilities allowcontrol and monitoring of systems from any computer anywhere in theworld.

One of the most relevant entries into the home automation universe isthe cellular telephone. In their most basic mode, cell phones can beused to control the same systems accessible by conventional telephonesthrough the dial-up POTS network. A more advanced method involves theuse of the cell phone network's short message service (“SMS”) in whichtext messages are sent to and received from a controlled system. SMSmessages travel on the same cellular network (on the same physicallayer) as standard voice calls but on a different logical channel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention uses an on-demand digital, private, and directcommunications interface to overcome the shortcomings and limitations ofcurrent communications interfacing. A digital, private, anddirect-connect remote controller provides instant wireless connectivityto the home from anywhere in the world without dialing a number orwaiting for a number of tones to send a command or to know the status ofconditions in the home; provides silent and constant direct two-waycommunication privately and globally, with the home for control andmonitoring of key functions; eliminates limitations, immobility, andinopportunities to connect, monitor and control the home, globally; canbe configured to interface with many existing and future home automationsystems and technologies; provides instant ubiquitous control for theend-user; and, if so desired, eliminates the need for the PC, modems andinterconnected wiring.

The digital private direct connect controller allows the end-user tofinally realize true global connectivity to and control of the home.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above features and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent upon reading the following description taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a connectivity and control systemaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the remote control unit of the system ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the essential components of the remotecontrol unit of the system of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the base control unit of the system of FIG.1.

Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistentlythroughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a ubiquitous connectivityand control system 10 wherein a master remote control unit 12 at ageographically remote location 14 on demand interfaces with a basecontrol unit 16 in a structure 18 to monitor and control associateddevices 21 thereat through a short message and/or the data bearercellular telephone network 22 including control towers 24. The system 10further includes associated control units 26 that are enabled by thebase control unit 16 to undertake select monitoring and controllingactivities in a proximate area 28. Associated control units 26 and themaster control unit 12 utilize the global position network 27 and/or thecellular telephone network 22 and towers 24 in order to determine theirgeographical locations 14, 20 and report this information back to thebase control unit 16 using the short message and/or data bearer servicesof the cellular telephone network 22 and control towers 24.

Referring to FIG. 2, the master remote control unit 12 and associatedremote control units 26 are Java/J2ME enable cellular telephones 30having a keypad 32 with a plurality of keys 34 including a select button36, and an LCD display 38 for displaying textual information 40 andgraphical icons 42 responsive to commands received from the base controlunit 16 or from other control units configured through base control unit16 to work with system 10.

Referring to FIG. 3, the cellular telephone 30 suitable as a remotecontrol unit 12 or 26 includes a microcontroller 45 electricallyinterconnected with random access memory 44, read only memory 46, thekeypad 32, and the LCD display 38. Power is supplied to the operationalcomponents by power control circuits 48 connected to rechargeablebatteries 50. Wire 52 electrically interconnects charger 54 to systemconnector 49. Power from the system connector 49 is controlled throughthe system bus circuits 47 and microcontroller 45 to charge battery pack50. The remote control unit 12 communicates with external devicesthrough the cellular RF interface circuits 56 connected to an antenna58, a Bluetooth module 60, a universal serial bus (USB) module 62 orthrough system connector 49 and system bus circuits 47. Cellular voiceand data communications are transmitted to and received from thecellular telephone network 22 by the wireless cellular rf circuits 56 ina conventional manner. The Bluetooth data is received and transmitted bythe Bluetooth module 60. Global satellite positioning information isreceived by either an external GPS module 64 or by an integrated GPSreceiver incorporated into the cellular RF circuits 56. Data from theexternal GPS receiver 64 is communicated over serial interface cable 67connected to system connector 49 and is then transferred tomicrocontroller 45 through the system bus circuits 47. Audiocommunications are received on the microphone 66 and are transmitted onthe audio speaker 68 through audio interface circuits 69.

The custom JAVA/J2ME application software is transferred into the ROM 46for access by the microcontroller 45. The application software can bedownloaded into the ROM 46 by transmission from the cellular network 22to the antenna 58 to the microcontroller 45, which stores the softwaretherein. The application may also be downloaded by an external programdevice, such as a personal computer (not shown) by Bluetooth module 60,USB interface 62, or from the system connector 49. The RAM 44 providesservice or scratchpad memory for computational use by microcontroller45.

Referring to FIG. 4, the base control unit 16 consists a wireless module70 communicating with a microcontroller 106 for operating a number ofseparate subsystems. The microcontroller communicates with each of thesubsystem components using either a serial or parallel communicationsbus depending upon the capabilities of the particular subsystemcomponent.

The subsystems contained within the base control unit 16 consist ofeither off-the-shelf integrated circuits combined with discreetcomponents or complete modules provided by other original equipmentmanufacturers (OEMs). As there are many different providers ofcomponents and modules, only one particular method of systems design andintegration is described herein. Those skilled in the art will recognizethat there are many ways to put together components and modules toachieve a design with similar features.

The base control unit 16 includes a plurality of communicationinterfaces 72, 74, 76, 78, 80, 82, 8486 and 88 for providing the meansfor remote control and remote monitoring of the various subsystemswithin the residential environment. Remote monitoring and control can beachieved through either the wireless module 70 or the Ethernet interface82. A multi-purpose expansion bus 89 is a proprietary bus providing acustom communications interface for accessories developed exclusivelyfor use with the base control unit.

The base control unit 16 consists of an antenna 90 which is attached tothe wireless interface module 70. The antenna connection may be madeeither directly through a connector incorporated as part of the antennaor through a coaxial cable so that the antenna 90 may be mounted at alocation remote from the base control unit.

The wireless interface module 70 provides both voice and datacommunications capabilities to the base control unit 16 through audiointerface 94, power interface 96 and I/O interface 98. A microphone 100and a speaker 102 provide for voice communications to the user throughthe audio interface 94 of the wireless interface module 70. The powerinterface 96 provides power to the module 70 via power supply 104 andalso allows a system microcontroller 106 to control the on/off state ofthe module. The power supply 104 is connected to the structure powersupply through connector 108. The I/O interface 98 provides for a datapathway for digital communications over bus 110 as well as providing themeans for the system microcontroller 106 to control the variouscommunications aspects of the wireless module 70. Data communicated overbus 110 is RS232 ASCII or text “AT” commands commonly used in telephonemodem instruction sets.

The user interacts with the base station through keypad 120 and LCDdisplay 112 to the system microcontroller 106. Applications softwareembedded into the on-board ROM of the microcontroller 106 provides thefunctionality for interpreting the keypad 120 input and for displayingappropriate messages on the LCD display 112. Alternatively, the LCDdisplay 112 may be of the well known touch pad design in which thekeypad 120 functions are performed by pressing against predeterminedscreen areas that correspond to key designations. Further, the LCDDisplay 112 and keypad 120 may be eliminated completely with the basecontrol unit 16 including web services that enable communication throughone of the communications interfaces, such as the Ethernet 82 interfaceor the USB interface 80, to a connected personal computer equipped witha web browser or other communications software. The base control unit 16is TCP/IP enabled, permitting its direct connection to a local areanetwork or directly to the Internet. With this configuration,programming and customization of the applications software in the basecontrol unit can be performed from anywhere in the world with anInternet connection.

The interfaces of the base control unit 16 provide for the control andthe monitoring of a variety of subsystems within the residentialenvironment as well as providing a means of expanding the functionalityof the base station through the use of industry standard interfacetechnologies including universal serial bus (USB) 80; the Ethernet(10/100/1000 Base-T) bus 82 and the RS-232 serial bus 78.

The interface 76, environmental sensor network, is implemented as a1-Wire® network allowing for a number of various types of temperature,humidity, light-level and other sensors to be monitored by the basecontrol unit 16. The 1-Wire® network is expandable to a wide array ofdevices including general purpose digital and analog I/O devices whichwould allow for the control of actuators and relays that may be usefulfor control of air dampers, water control valves, electronic windows,vents and other such devices utilized within a typical residentialenvironment.

The interface 74, the air handling control systems interface, providesthe means by which the base station serves to control the heating, airconditioning and other air handling equipment within the residence. Thisinterface is designed to replace the standard thermostat that istypically used within residential heating and cooling systems. Theinterface 74 may provide multi-zone thermostat functions control as wellas an interface to electronic air dampers. The thermostat portion of thebase control unit is capable of controlling an unlimited number ofzones.

The serial data bus interface 78 allows for data communications with thewide range of devices on the market that support this type ofcommunications interface. Examples of such data communications includedesk top computers, modems, and fax machines.

The USB interface 80 allows the base control unit 16 to communicate withother devices that support this type of interface. This bus can be usedto expand the capabilities of the base station and add support for:persistent data storage; peripheral expansion devices (digital camerasetc); and other wireless interfaces (Bluetooth, 802.11).

The Digital Analog and I/O interfaces 84 and 86 respectively allow thebase control unit to connect to a wide array of devices that interfaceto the real world. This allows the base control unit to serve as abridge between simple devices and the networks to which the base stationis connected. Examples of such would include: alarm systems; electroniclocks; gate controls; pressure transducers; contact closures; andrelays.

The multi-purpose expansion bus 89 is a proprietary bus that allows forthe addition of custom accessories developed exclusively for use withthe base station.

The power line interface 72 allows the base control unit to communicateover the power line to devices that support a power line communicationsinterface. Examples of these type of interfaces are X10 and HomePlug.

The remote control units 12, 26 take advantage of either GPS Assisted(“GPSA”) technology, an external GPS unit 64 or location basedinformation provided by the cellular network 22. GPSA technology usescellular-based location information provided by cellular infrastructurepursuant to the E911 protocol or mandate. With GPSA, cellular telephonetowers locations have their own GPS receivers installed such that theircoordinates are already known and can be readily communicated to theremote control units such that the normal three to five minute delayinherent in GPS position determination is avoided. For remote controlunits without GPSA technology, an external GPS can be used tocommunicate geographic location to the software within the remotecontrol unit. The cellular carrier can further provide location basedinformation to the cellular handset by using the cellular towers todetermine its geographic location.

Each remote control unit 12, 26 communicates with the base control unit16 to affect the operational aspects thereof and peripheral equipmentoperatively attached thereto. For example, a remote control unit cancommand the base control unit 16 to enter an energy conservation mode.The user moves the cursor of the LCD screen 38 until the desiredoperational icon 42 is highlighted. The function associated with theicon 42 by the applications software is triggered by pressing the selectbutton 36. The applications software communicates the command to thebase control unit 16 through the cellular telephone network 22. Thecommand string so transmitted is received and processed by the basecontrol unit 16. Upon entering this mode the base control unit 16adjusts air handling systems, open or close dampers, open or closewindow coverings, and adjusts operation of a hot water heater toconserve power consumption of the home. In the preferred embodiment, theremote control units are conventional cellular telephone handsets thatare equipped with a programming kernel, such as Java or J2ME, thatenables the telephone to be customized to perform functions that are nottypical of standard cellular telephone operation. For example, to use acellular telephone that has a home automation terminal in itsconventional mode, the user would have to enter a telephone number, dialinto a home automation controller, and press the telephone keys to sendDTMF audio signals to the controller. After the session is completed,the user has to manually disconnect from the cellular network. The datapath between the remote control unit and the base control unit is SMS(“simple message service”.) However, the implemented port addressingscheme allows short messages to the remote control unit to bypassstandard cellular telephone functions and to operate the features of theunit independently. The desired port to be addressed on the receivingunit is configured in the user data header of the SMS message that istransmitted to the receiving unit as is well known in the art. Further,the various remote control units can send SMS information to and fromone another, exclusive of the base control unit in order to change thestatus information for a particular user. For example, if one remotecontrol unit desires to be inactive, a command is sent to the otherremote control unit to change the personal status thereof as displayedon the other units. Similarly, the remote control units can send SMSmessages to the applications running in the other remote control unitsto affect operation parameters of those receiving remote control units.

By way of illustration, if the base control unit notifies the remotecontrol unit of an activation of an alarm system associated with thebase control unit, the remote control unit receives textual messages andgraphical indicators to alert the user. The user acknowledges receipt ofthe alert by pressing a button or entering a code. The communicationdoes not involve the voice mode for communicating between the two units.Use of a conventional programmable cellular telephone readily meets theregulatory requirement that a device that participates in the cellularnetwork be FCC or CTIA approved.

SMS port addressing allows Mobile Terminated SMS messages to beprocessed within the cellular telephone's application software withoutuser intervention. Such uses include Voice Mail notifications, WirelessAccess Protocol WAP, E-mail, and Phone Provisioning. The InternetAssigned Numbers Authority (http://www.iana.com) is responsible fordefining the use of the various ports and specific ranges of numbershave been assigned for use by application software.

When the Java software application is operationally accessed bymicrocontroller 45 and started within the remote control unit 12, itattaches itself to a specific port for the reception of SMS messages.All Mobile Terminated (MT) SMS messages that contain a User Data Header(UDH) that indicate a port address, such as 50120, will be forwarded tothe application software for processing.

The following AT command sequence is illustrative of the commands thebase station unit 16 sends to the wireless module 70 over serialcommunications interface 110 to send a message to the remote controlunit 12 to notify it that the temperature in zone 0 is currently 72degrees:

-   -   ATE=0\r Turn off echoing of characters sent to the module    -   AT+CMGF=0\r Set Module in PDU Message format    -   AT+CMGS=44\r Total length of PDU is 44 octets    -   0041000AC10294268088000023060504C3C800003C7AB90D07E9DFEE724F041381EC6176BDDC13DD64A2970F        <ctrl-Z>

The base control unit 16 is configured to interact with and respond tomultiple remote control units 12. If multiple remote control units 12,or associate units 26 are deployed, one of the remote control unitscould be considered a master and all others could be considered slaves.Specific operational characteristics of the base control unit 16 may beconfigured as to only respond to commands from the master remote controlunit. Alternatively, the remote control units may be segregated intoclasses such that the base control unit responds to commands andcommunicates selected information to a class containing one or moreremote control units. An example would be a first class consisting ofremote control units operated by parents and a second class consistingof remote control units operated by children. Information pertaining tothe activities of the children may be selectively reported by the basecontrol unit to the parents. By way of illustration, when a childoperating a remote control unit in the second class disarms the alarmsystem prior to entering the residence controlled by the base controlunit, parents in the parent class are notified accordingly that thechild has arrived at home. The class assignments and configurations areeasily customized to provide the notifications desired by theauthoritative system operators, in this case, the parents.

The GPS receiver module 64 including antenna 65 is optionallyincorporated into the remote control unit 12 for allowing the remotecontrol unit to communicate position information to the base controlunit 16. The GPS may also be incorporated into wireless module 56, as innewer CDMA 2000 compatible cellular modules. This feature allows thebase control unit to change its operational characteristics based uponthe location of the remote control unit(s).

For example, the base control unit may adjust the water temperature andthermostats when one of the remote control units comes within a specificdistance from the house. The geographic information that is acquired bythe GPS subsystem in the remote control unit (whether it is a separateGPS unit or part of the module) can be compared to settings stored ineither the remote control unit itself or the base control unit toprovide capabilities such as Geo-Fencing, Asset Tracking, andBio-Location (knowing where a living entity is located).

In the preferred embodiment, the position data are derived from NEMAdata received from the GPS component. NEMA data includes latitude,longitude, time, velocity, and heading information. Each informationpacket is streamed once per second. Data are captured by the remotecontrol unit, they are processed by its application software, and theresults are transmitted by port-addressed SMS to the base control unitfor proximity detection. Specific remote control units can be configuredin such a way that they send a status message to the base control unitif they exceed a programmed set of boundary conditions. If desired, thebase control unit can on its own initiative query the remote controlunit to learn its geographic location.

Geographic location information is programmed into the base control unitthrough keypad 120. Additionally, the geographic location of the basecontrol unit may be entered into a GPS-enabled remote control unitthrough the application software user interface. A user-determineddistance is then programmed into the remote control unit. When theremote control unit travels a distance that exceeds the programmeddistance from the base control unit, the remote control unit reportsthis information to the base control unit. The base control unit willthen send this information to the appropriate user or to a predeterminedclass of users. This is an example of geo-fencing and would be typicallyused to notify parents that one of their children has traveled beyond aset distance from the home.

The base control unit communicates status information to the remotecontrol unit either on a periodic or event-driven basis. It can initiatecommunications based on its aggregated inputs, or it can respond toindividual requests and commands received from the remote control unit.

Examples of events that could cause the base control unit to initiate acommunications session with the remote control unit include fire orburglar alarm activation, HVAC or freezer temperature thresholdsexceeded, equipment failures, an air filter change necessary, a changein the home state vector, (occupied, unoccupied) or a geographicalboundary condition exceeded by of one of the other remote control units.

In addition to communicating status information to the remote controlunit, the base control unit will, as programmed, initiate correctiveaction for the indicated event. For example, upon communicating an alarmactivation message to a remote control unit, the base control unit, upondetecting the presence of an authorized user arriving at the locallocation, could disable the alarm system. Upon the detection of a memberof an authorized class member, the base control unit can start theoperation of the whirlpool bath in anticipation of the user's arrival,turn on specified interior and exterior lighting, or increase ordecrease the thermostatic set point for the heater or air conditioner.

Yet additional geographical dependent operation or control may beprovided by the inherent aspects of Bluetooth wireless technologypresently available from a wide variety of professional and consumerelectronic equipment manufacturers and vendors. Bluetoothradio-frequency protocol enabled devices allow totally wirelessoperation of devices such as computers, computer keyboards, printers,pointing devices, digital audio players, headphones, computer games,personal digital assistances, remote controls, and the like. EachBluetooth device is characterized by one of three power classes: Class 1is designed for long range (approximately 100 m) devices, with a maximumoutput power of 20 dBm; Class 2 is for ordinary range devices(approximately 10 m) devices, with a maximum output power of 4 dBm; andClass 3 is for short range devices (approximately 10 cm) devices, with amaximum output power of 0 dBm. Class 2 devices are used in the preferredembodiment as they provide a beneficially sized geographic range orfence around the local location to allow the system to provide presencedetection functionality.

Each chipset in a Bluetooth enabled device has a unique serial oridentification number. To enable the base control unit to recognize andrespond to the presence of a Bluetooth enabled device, the device mustbe physically held within operable range of the control unit. The userinstructs the control unit to request authorization from the Bluetoothdevice. An authorization code is manually entered into the base controlunit and then into Bluetooth device. If the unique identification orserial number entered into each unit matches, it is stored andassociated with the particular user or class of users, and the basecontrol unit and the Bluetooth enable device are authenticated and arein communication with each other. At a periodic interval, the basecontrol unit directs the Bluetooth master unit (located in the basecontrol unit) to do a device discovery and report back the uniqueidentification numbers it finds. If an identification number is notdiscovered, the user is assumed not within close proximity of the basecontrol unit, which then reports the results to the designated class ofusers. If desired or necessary based on environmental circumstances, theBluetooth receiver can be remotely located from the base control unitfor controlled reception or to compensate for radio frequency coverageproblems. The Bluetooth enabled device could be a cellular telephone, awatch, an MP3 player, a pendant, or any other Bluetooth equipped devicecompatible with current Bluetooth standards.

In the preferred embodiment, the Bluetooth enabled remote control unitmay be programmed using Java J2ME to send a message to other remotecontrol units when they detect a specific base station control units.This feature allows multiple base station control units in a largeenvironment and the case that the remote control unit handles thenotification.

While the preferred embodiment employs popular Bluetooth technology, itshould be appreciated and understood that other presently availabletechnologies, such as 802.11 (x), or future technologies can be used inthe same manner as Bluetooth. The base control and remote control unitseach contain application software that is readily modifiable to adapt toa new or different technology or protocol.

Application software within the systems microcontroller 106 provides forautonomous control that is either preprogrammed at the time ofmanufacture or customized by the end user of the base station for theirspecific needs. Examples of autonomous control include: shut down of theair handling system if a fire is detected, thereby the spread of smokeand the possibility of “fanning” the fire; adjusting of indoortemperature and humidity settings depending upon conditions andinformation such as outdoor environmental conditions such astemperature, humidity, sun load and wind, short-term weather forecasts,family schedule and activities, structure occupancy, context, locationof users; shutdown of sensitive electronic components and subsystems incases of severe weather, or failures in other subsystems; closing andopening of windows and/or window coverings to conserve energy; controlof sprinkler systems based upon current weather conditions and weatherforecasts. The application software includes a macro languageinterpreter to enable efficient end-user customization and futureexpansion to the system. A macro is a miniature computer programactivated by a symbol, name, or key that represents a list of commands,actions, or keystrokes. A macro allows a local or remote user to enter asingle character or word to perform a series of predetermined actions.

Base control unit 16 further comprises the Ethernet interface 82 torespond to external web services generally accessible through anInternet connection. For example, at present, weather services on theInternet can be queried using the SOAP protocol. The services respondwith timely weather information, typically encoded in XML. The basecontrol unit 16 understands and interprets that received information andresponds according to instructions, including macros, programmed intoits application software. Such capability allows the base control unitto take actions, like causing the sprinkler system to bypass itsscheduled watering cycle should rain be forecast. Other informationservices allow other responses. A school system's notification thatschools are being released early due to inclement weather conditionscould cause the base control unit to notify the class containing theparental remote control users of the decision to afford the parent theopportunity to make transportation and custodial decisions with regardto their children in the schools. The application software is RSS-awareand is capable of receiving and responding accordingly to RSS feeds. RSS(“really simple syndication”) is an efficient and popular web contentsyndication serial data format. Any information that can be broken downinto discrete data items can be syndicated via RSS. Once informationabout each item is in RSS format, in the present invention, the basecontrol unit examines the feed for changes and reacts to the changes inan appropriate way. The Ethernet bridge function is easily updated andexpanded by an upload of revised application software to the basecontrol unit.

Messages from the remote control unit 12 to the base control unit 16 donot need to rely on port addressing for processing. The base controlunit 16 uses a cellular telephone module that does not contain a userinterface. The processing of SMS messages is handled by the base controlunit applications software.

The base control unit 16 commands the cellular module to send newlyreceived SMS messages directly to the base control unit 16 over theserial port using unsolicited result codes. Upon receipt of a newmessage the cellular module sends the following:

-   -   +CMT: <length><CR><LF><pdu>        Where <length> is the length of the <pdu> element

-   <CR> is carriage return and <LF> is line feed.

-   <pdu> is the Short Message data in either PDU or text format.    The base control unit 16 processes the data according the content of    the message data.

Although port addressing is not currently used when messages are sentfrom the remote control unit 12 to the base control unit 16 software (itstill is used within the base control unit 16 cellular module forprovisioning and control from the carriers), the system can utilize theport addressing to direct messages to specific subsystems that are tiedto the base control unit 16.

The present invention thus provides an on-demand bidirectionalcommunications interface for monitoring, controlling, and securingvarious environment functions and characteristics attendant the interiorand exterior of a building. The system may thus monitor and controltemperature, and a myriad of other environmental functions of thebuilding include, by way of example and not limitation, temperature,power status for the building and discrete applications therein,humidity/moisture, smoke/toxic gases, structural breaches, securitystatus, visual conditions and a host of other natural and non-naturalphenomena.

The base control unit is preferably mounted at an appropriate locationon a wall within the building to provide a local access for regulation.The base control unit is locally operatively interfaced with a pluralityof sensors and devices systematically distributed throughout thebuilding and communicating according to varying protocols such asinfrared, radio frequency, X-10, and hard wiring.

The sensors provide continuous measurement and status of targetenvironmental characteristics. Examples of sensor applications includeutilities status, moisture and humidity detection, door and windowcondition, and the like. Associated controlled devices providingoperational functions refrigeration, water heating, security cameras,illumination devices, and the like.

The air handling unit receives signals from the associated sensors andcommunicates them to the base control unit 16 that, based on theprocessed measured characteristics thereof, activates or deactivates oneor more of the devices of the unit in response to the measurement. Forexample, if the temperature sensor exceeds a preset value, the HVAC unitis activated, and when the measured characteristic is within a presetvalue range, the unit is deactivated. In addition, when a measuredcharacteristic exceeds a predetermined value range, an alarm signal maybe transmitted to a remote control unit 14 to provide an audible,tactile, and/or visual indication. Thus, if utility sensor S2 indicatesa loss of electrical, water, or communications service, a signal is sentto the remote control unit 14 and the operator thereof has the abilityto take corrective action in response thereto. Also, the operator mayinvoke the a command from the remote control unit 14 to the base controlunit 16 to activate a select device such as the HVAC unit, a waterheater, a refrigeration appliance or other discrete device remotely inorder to prepare the building for occupancy by the operator or designee.

The sensors for the system are distributed throughout the building todetect the environmental characteristics of the building. Thesecharacteristics include, but are not limited to, temperature,humidity/moisture, smoke/toxic gases, structural breaches, and a host ofother natural and non-natural phenomena.

In a conventional thermostat, a temperature sensor and switchautomatically control a heating or cooling appliance when the sensedtemperature is beyond a preset value. The thermostatic interface of theinvention would include a temperature sensor that constantly monitorsthe environmental temperature and control of a heating and/or coolingappliance to maintain the building at a substantially constanttemperature.

The thermostatic interface also receives other environmentalcharacteristics of the building and responds in a like manner. Forexample, a sensor would monitor the humidity (or moisture content of theair) of the building. If the temperature monitored by temperature sensoris within the preset range value, a conventional thermostat would notadjust the heating and/or cooling appliance to regulate the moisturecontent, thus presenting favorable environment for the growth on moldsand mildew. The thermostatic interface receives the humidity valuemeasured by the humidity sensor, determines that the value exceeds apredefined limit, and generates an alarm signal that is transmitted asan alarm signal via the communication link to the remote control unit.The operator receives the information and transmits a control signalfrom the remote access unit to the base control unit via thecommunication link and activates the appropriate appliance in responsethereto, thus reducing the humidity value to acceptable levels andpreventing the progression of mold and mildew growth.

The sensors are distributed according to a predetermined plan thateffectively makes the “most likely place” for a change in environmentalcharacteristics to be sensed. For example, several smoke/toxic gassensors would be distributed about the ceilings and floors so as toidentify the presence of smoke (i.e. fire) or carbon monoxide (i.e.toxic gas), and relaying the measured characteristic to the thermostat.Other types of sensors would be optimally placed in order to monitor theegression of water into the building, lighting striking the building,suspension or cessation of a provided utility (i.e., electric power,water and sewer provisions, natural gas), collapse of the building or aportion thereof due to weather (i.e., tornado, hurricane, blizzard), orbreach of the building security (i.e., break-ins). The sensors may behard wired through the structure of the building. Also, the sensors mayhave a wireless communication. The optimal presentation would be a dualconnection, such a hard-wired and wireless communication, e.g., atransmitter/receiver. This provides maximum effective monitoring of thebuilding because the hard wiring would alleviate the need for constantbattery monitoring, likewise, the wireless communication providesmonitoring should the absence of electrical power be a factor. Forexample, the combined hard wired and wireless connection of the sensorsto the unit allows the monitoring of the building and generates thealarm when the power is lost due to an area wide electrical outage. Theunit transmits that information (i.e., the loss of electrical power) tothe remote control unit and the operator is aware that the electricalpower is absent. If the loss of electrical power were due to a nefariousfigure seeking to breach the building, i.e., breaking a window to gainaccess, a security sensor would still be able to provide the basecontrol unit with an indication that the building has a security breach.The base control unit, operating under an alternate electrical powersupply such as a backup battery, would generate a subsequent alarmsignal and transmit the subsequent alarm signal for routing through thedirect connect wireless for immediate transmission to the remote controlunit, thereby alerting the operator that in addition to the loss ofelectrical power, the security of the building has been breached. Theoperator can thereby contact the law enforcement facility of the localjurisdiction and have an immediate response. If the remote control unitsare organized in classes, such as “managers”, the information would bealmost simultaneously provided to each member of the class who wouldhave a need to receive and react to it.

In addition to main residence use, the system is typically suited for avacation/second dwelling, a business concern, or any building structurethat is not constantly occupied. For example, if the thermostat controlsystem is installed in a vacation home in one locality, the operator mayeffectively be in any other portion of the globe so long as an effectivecommunication link is provided with the remote control unit 14.

Multiple base station units could be controlled through a singlecellular phone for those instances where a person desires to havesystems installed in multiple residences. The application software usesthe Source Address field of the message to distinguish between differentbase control units 16.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to theembodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodimentswithin the scope of the following claim.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for enabling select individuals toselectively control environmental conditions of a structure, comprising:a plurality of devices for controlling discrete environmental conditionsin the structure; control means for operating each device to control aselect environmental condition; a base unit in said structure; a mobilemaster remote unit operable by a first party; a mobile associate remoteunit operable by a second party, said mobile associate remote unittransmitting an identification signal; receiving means associated withsaid base unit for receiving said identification signal when said mobileassociate remote unit is with a proximate distance to the structure;selection means operatively associated with said base unit forestablishing an authorized user status to said mobile associate remoteunit based on said identification signal; instant wireless connectivitymeans; connectivity means providing an on-demand, private and directcommunications interface between said base unit, said mobile masterremote unit and said mobile associate remote unit having said authorizeduser status enabling instant wireless connectivity therebetween; meansfor providing a indication of current status of each of said devices tosaid base unit; means for transmitting said indication of current statusof each of said devices through said connectivity means to said mobilemaster remote unit and for transmitting said indication of currentstatus of select devices to said mobile associate remote unit; displaymeans at said mobile associate remote unit for indicating said currentstatus of said devices transmitted thereto; input means at each of saidmobile associate remote unit for prescribing an indication of revisedstatus for device displayed thereat; means for transmitting saidindication of revised status through said connectivity means to saidbase unit; means operatively associated with said base unit andoperatively connected with said devices for effecting revised status fora prescribed device.
 2. The system according to claim 1 wherein saidmobile associate remote units are conventional cellular telephonehandsets with custom programmability means.
 3. The system according toclaim 2 wherein said mobile associate remote units include globalpositioning satellite (GPS) receivers for communicating present remoteunit location information to said base unit.
 4. The system according toclaim 1 wherein said connectivity means is the cellular telephonenetwork.
 5. The system according to claim 1 wherein said mobileassociate remote units include Bluetooth bidirectional communicationsmodules.